The Fall of Hong Kong 1941https://shrowle.wordpress.com
These notes were made by Charles Toms Bailey, an employee of Cable and Wireless who was roped in for ARP work in the run up to war. The exercise book in which these notes were made remained in his possession after he was interned as a prisoner of the Japanese and his notes cover the first few months of imprisonment.Sun, 18 Feb 2018 04:54:12 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngThe Fall of Hong Kong 1941https://shrowle.wordpress.com
5th January 1942, Mondayhttps://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/5th-january-1942-monday/
https://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/5th-january-1942-monday/#respondSun, 05 Jan 2014 02:07:45 +0000http://shrowle.wordpress.com/?p=84All British, American + Dutch subjects ordered to register at Murray Parade Ground.

A.R.P. agreed to undertake this registration but owing to lack of organisation on the part of the Japanese, registration was called off as a complete failure. A,R,P. went back to Tai Koon, where we had to double up + sleep two in a bed, as about 200 more persons were sent there. All British, American + Dutch subjects , with the exception of those on medical work + some who would not register + remained on the Peak, were interned in five Chinese hotels in the town.

From this date we were not allowed out. Rations of rice, meat, fish + firewood were sent in by Japanese in very inadequate quantities + these were suplemented to a certain extent with tinned goods. The Medical Dept were able to send us small quantities of bread, which averaged at about one slice per person per day. many rumours of our being moved to a permanent internment camp were current but did not materialise until 21/1/42.

Quarters found for us at Tai Koon Hotel. Left Dina House about 4.45pm on lorry with luggage. Several others on lorry + rest of the men walked, but women sent round in cars. Plenty of accommodation in hotel and supplied with rice flour and 2 1/2 tins of boneless ham by Japs. Allowed freedom to go out until the general internment.

< This is the final entry in the diary for 1941, the next entry will be posted on 5th January >

]]>https://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/28th-december-1941-sunday/feed/0shrowl25th December 1941, Thursdayhttps://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/25th-december-1941-thursday/
https://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/25th-december-1941-thursday/#respondThu, 02 Jan 2014 00:40:13 +0000http://shrowle.wordpress.com/?p=64Attended service in the Cathedral in the morning with Cole. Cathedral had been slightly damaged and shells were coming over most of the time we were in there. Met [Videro] later + as I had not much to do, agreed to take him out to Pokfulum with rations. Whilst at Pokfulum visited the Weils, who had just heard that we had capitulated. Could not believe this, so rang up C.S.O. tunnel for confirmation.Capitulation confirmed so asked for instructions and was told to return to Dina House and stay put. This was about 5pm. Drove back to Dina House without incident + saw no Japanese en route.
]]>https://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/25th-december-1941-thursday/feed/0shrowl24th December 1941, Wednesdayhttps://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/24th-december-1941-wednesday/
https://shrowle.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/24th-december-1941-wednesday/#respondThu, 02 Jan 2014 00:23:07 +0000http://shrowle.wordpress.com/?p=43Went shopping in morning with Cole and bought Xmas presents for the women at Dina House + other things at Wing On. “Suicide Squad” again went to Happy Valley in the evening for further stores, but were unable to get through owing to heavy shelling of Gap Road. Had to spend about one hour in A.R.P. tunnel at Wang Chai. After visiting Supreme Court to tell Macgregor of negative result, returned the two lorries to transport depot and visited Upper Levels Report Centre on the way back. Found them all locked and barred inside and the floor covered with beds with women on them.

At the beginning of hostilities I slept mostly at the school, but after removal of A.R.P. Hq to the C.S.O. tunnel, resumed sleeping at home (Century Crescent, Kennedy Road). When shelling of Happy Valley and Gap Road became bad, I took Mrs Evans there also. This was about Dec 18th. On Dec 23rd was told by Puckle to move into Dina House, where those working in Hq (C.S.O. tunnel) were sleeping.

Up till time of evacuation of A.R.P. school Happy Valley my work consisted of getting stores out to divisions, shifting stores from Khasal Diwan<1> to [Morrison] Hill Road school, shifting stores from A.R.P. school to Gap Road school, evacuating stores from Govt Store North Point, collecting Kerosene from [godowns] + distributing it to Report Centres etc., arranging lorries + coolies for distribution of sand for sand bagging etc., etc. [Chan] Tai Kwong + Fung Kai Lam both useless in dead [funk] but a lot of help received from Wong Sze Chuen + Chowla (Hq Indian telephonist).